"The AmritaSREE scheme is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of our country’s citizens becoming self-reliant, and it sends a message beyond providing livelihood to the poor,” said India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr V Muraleedharan, in his inaugural address.

“On the 75th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has to become a developed country in the next 25 years, and the AmritaSREE project exemplifies this by heading in that direction."

AmritaSREE supports its members, mostly women from isolated and rural areas, to independently earn a living via professions not reliant upon increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, especially fishing and farming.

Mr Muraleedharan said AmritaSREE’s success can be understood from the fact that members of the SHGs earn income from self-reliant ventures in 54 industries, ranging from digital training to plumbing to snack production.

“It is not the responsibility of the government alone to pursue the status of the country. It's an activity that everyone has to take collectively. Amma's project, which she has been directing for the past 17 years, today serves more than 200,000 women. May this be extended to the entire country's development," he added.

The Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) started AmritaSREE in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami when fishermen’s families in Kerala were utterly devastated. There are now 13,000+ SHGs across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. As the initiative enters its 18th year, similar gatherings will reach its members.

"AmritaSREE is a project that has created a positive impact on people's lives. It is not a scheme that just gives financial assistance or a food kit, but is a program that provides relief to thousands and thousands of families in Kerala,” said Mr Antony Raju, Kerala’s Transport Minister, while giving the keynote address.

“It establishes security. Amma's benevolence reaches everywhere, and the Ashram is able to see people as human beings regardless of caste and religion."

During the event, Member of India’s Parliament Adoor Prakash, who presided over the function, added: "The activities of the Ashram are a ray of hope for society, and the projects run by it change people's lives."

A woman with the Chirayankeezhu Unit shared: “The kit and clothing distribution in this economically disadvantaged situation is very helpful for us. The underprivileged members in our SHG find it a huge support.”

Beyond economic aid, AmritaSREE has emerged as a vital force for women’s empowerment. Its SHG members create innovative business enterprises and professions. AmritaSREE provides vocational and skills training, as well as food, clothing and other basic needs supplies for the families. These women, who were once vulnerable to poverty, become independent.

“It's a relief to get this. This is a helping hand for those who are struggling at home. Coming together weekly and having the option to take out a loan from the SHG is a tremendous support to meet our essential needs. Today, the value of this kit is even more as it is a gift from Amma,” explained another AmritaSREE member.

Programs for AmritaSREE’s anniversary are being organized at the district level to ensure the participation of eminent personalities from social, spiritual, cultural, and political fields from their communities. In this way, the initiative will be able to reach more and more women to give them the support needed to form SHGs.

The event in Kerala’s capital also included Mr R Ranganathan, the coordinator of AmritaSREE, to present the theme. Swami Turiyamritananda Puri shared the benedictory address. BJP Central Committee Member PK Krishnadas, District Panchayat President Adv D Suresh Kumar, and Ward Councilor G Madhavadas delivered felicitations. Amrita Vidyalaya Director GS Sajikumar was also present.

Every year, the Ashram provides a seed grant of ₹30,000 to SHGs with 20 members. Over 500,000 sarees are also distributed to women with AmritaSREE, alongside new clothes for their families.

Video: Those who attended the launch, from politicians to SHG members, shared that this year’s AmritaSREE launch is the beginning of a new chapter in the people’s lives.


Photo 1: Women who belong to AmritaSREE SHGs in the Thiruvananthapuram district received packages of financial aid, food supplies, and clothing for them and their families.

Photo 2: India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Sri V Muraleedharan, said AmritaSREE’s model of self-reliance is an example for the whole country.

Photo 3: AmritaSREE was started by the Math in 2005 in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami when fisher families needed to find a new way to earn.

Photo 4: Today there are 13,000+ AmritaSREE SHGs across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra that support the families of more than two lakh women.

Photo 5: Most women who belong to the SHGs say the support has gotten them through very challenging times for them and their families.

Photo 6: For many members, the experience of independence is a revolutionary factor in their family backdrops.

Photo 7: AmritaSREE is expanding its efforts to reach more and more women to give them the support needed to form SHGs.